All the buzz and no hangover? The next generation of alcohol-free drinks – podcast
What with Christmas parties and work drinks, this time of year can feel like one long hangover. But a new generation of alcohol-free alternatives is emerging which claim to offer the fun of alcohol without the painful morning-after. Madeleine Finlay and Ian Sample are joined by science correspondent Hannah Devlin to sample some of these drinks and interrogate the science behind themContinue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - December 21, 2023 Category: Science Authors: Presented by Madeleine Finlay and Ian Sample, with Hannah Devlin, produced by Madeleine Finlay and Joshan Chana, with additional production assistance from Kunal Patel, sound design by Mau Loseto, the executive producer is Ellie Bury Tags: Science Alcohol Cocktails Food Food science Wine Beer Soft drinks Source Type: news
A matter of taste: food preferences may be influenced by our unique ‘tongue prints’
Analysis of 3D images reveals the organ ’s bumps and grooves are as personal as fingerprintsWhether they are long and slimy, wide and bumpy, fissured, furry or tied – our tongues may be even more unique than we give them credit for.An analysis of 3D images of human tongues suggests that each of us may have a unique “tongue print” just as we haveindividual fingerprints. The research could help to shed new light on why people ’s food preferences can be so varied, and assist in the design of healthier, yet delicious, alternatives to fatty or sugary foods.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - December 14, 2023 Category: Science Authors: Linda Geddes Tags: Human biology Food Food science UK news Source Type: news
UNISON joins thousands in Brussels to protest austerity
On Tuesday 12 December, a delegation of UNISON representatives joined thousands of people at a rally in Brussels to demand an end to austerity, better public services and fairer working conditions.
The Europe-wide mobilisation, On the Road for a Fair Deal for Workers, was organised by The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). It took place during EU negotiations over the new Stability and Growth Pact, which aims to limit debt and deficits for member countries.
The ETUC, which represents 45 million members, claims that under the current draft proposal for a reform, 14 member states will be forced to cut a combined 45 b...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - December 13, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Janey Starling Tags: Article News ETUC EU Source Type: news
Blog: the clock ticks to the next general election
I remember the feeling of horror, four years ago today, as I watched the disaster of Boris Johnson re-entering Downing Street with a big majority.
The cold and wet winter general election campaign was centred around his many slogans that promised a lot but would deliver very little.
“We will put you first” was the biggest joke of all. I could never reconcile these words with what I saw from the self-centred politician on the screen in front of me. Johnson’s chaotic handling of the pandemic proved this to be a lie.
Had that really been his guiding principle throughout the pandemic, the UK wouldn’t have ...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - December 12, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Christina McAnea Tags: Article General Secretary's blog News Source Type: news
Water firms should invest in services rather than shareholder payouts
Commenting on the move by South East Water to pay out £2.3m in dividends to investors despite huge losses, UNISON head of environment Donna Rowe-Merriman said:
“Failing and polluting water companies are jeopardising water quality, killing wildlife and causing untold damage to the environment.
“It beggars belief these firms are prioritising shareholder payouts over investment in services to their customers.
“The regulator must step in to force them to focus on providing safe water supplies and maintaining cleaner rivers, not generating vast profits.”
Notes to editors
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with ...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - December 7, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Fatima Ayad Tags: News Press release Donna Rowe-Merriman water Source Type: news
UNISON condemns the resumption of violence in Gaza and calls for an immediate ceasefire
UNISON condemns the end of the humanitarian pause between the Israeli government and Hamas and the resumption of ground operations and bombardment of Gaza by the Israeli state.
For seven days the artillery and missiles largely fell silent, allowing just a fraction of the humanitarian assistance that is so desperately needed into the strip. Since then, hundreds more Palestinian civilians have been killed and homes destroyed.
Gaza’s healthcare system is only partially functioning, due to bomb damage, the killing of almost 200 health workers, and a shortage of medical supplies, electricity and clean water.
Health workers co...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - December 6, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Demetrios Matheou Tags: Article News international Israel Palestine working internationally Source Type: news
LV= announced as exclusive home, travel and pet insurance provider
LV= will extend its insurance offering to UNISON members by providing home, travel and pet insurance.
The partnership marks a significant expansion of LV=’s services, it having been the exclusive provider of car insurance to UNISON members for several years. With a relationship that dates back decades, LV= is proud to continue supporting UNISON and its members.
Find out more about LV=
The article LV= announced as exclusive home, travel and pet insurance provider first appeared on the UNISON National site. (Source: UNISON meat hygiene)
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - December 6, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Janey Starling Tags: Article Source Type: news
Council funding boost will do nothing to fix deep-rooted problems in social care
Commenting on the government’s announcement that councils in England will receive £40m extra to enhance social care with the aim of freeing up hospital beds today (Monday), UNISON head of social care Gavin Edwards said:
“This is a drop in the ocean compared to the scale of the problem.
“It will do next to nothing to fix the deep-rooted problems in social care. Anyone trying to arrange a care package knows all too well that the system is broken.
“Instead of endless short-term measures to patch up a sector in crisis, the government must commit to complete reform.
“What’s needed is a national care service that’...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - December 4, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Fatima Ayad Tags: News Press release Gavin Edwards social care Source Type: news
Boosting sick pay during the pandemic would have helped prevent virus spread
Commenting on evidence from former health and care secretary Matt Hancock to the Covid inquiry about sick pay rates during the pandemic, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“It’s a shame Matt Hancock wasn’t as enthusiastic about boosting sick pay when he was in government.
“Pitifully low rates meant care staff went into work when they had Covid, simply because they couldn’t afford to stop home and isolate. Increasing sick pay would undoubtedly have helped prevent virus spread.
“Matt Hancock claimed the infection control fund would ensure no care worker lost out fi...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - December 1, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Dan Ashley Tags: News Press release care homes covid inquiry hancock sick pay Source Type: news
Young members gather at conference in Newcastle
Young members from across the UK gathered in Newcastle over the weekend for the third annual UNISON young members’ conference.
The conference was the first to take place after the age-limit for young members was increased to 30 and under (from 26) via a rule amendment at this year’s national delegate conference.
At the time, UNISON’s young members officer Josephine Grahl said: “The increase in age reflects the changes in the workforce that have happened since UNISON’s first young members’ groups were established in 1996″.
And she added that these included: “The increase in school leaving age, the ex...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - November 28, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Simon Jackson Tags: Article News 2023 National Young Members Conference maternity pay national young members forum Source Type: news
Ultra-processed foods are not more appealing, study finds
Results challenge assumption we eat highly processed foods because they are more desirable, says study ’s authorUltra-processed foods are viewed as no more appealing than less processed foods, research has found.A University of Bristol study compared the taste perception of different food types to test the theory that calories and level of processing are key factors influencing how much we like and desire food.Continue reading... (Source: Guardian Unlimited Science)
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - November 27, 2023 Category: Science Authors: Jessica Murray Tags: Health Research Education Higher education Society Food science Source Type: news
NHS data: help stop the sell-off
NHS England is set to hand over its patient data and share of a £480m contract to US company Palantir in a plan to create a new database.
This marks the biggest IT contract the NHS has ever awarded.
Palantir is a spy technology firm that works with intelligence and military agencies in the UK and US, including the CIA.
UNISON is working alongside the campaigning organisation Foxglove to help challenge this. An emergency petition to health secretary Victoria Atkins has been set up, which UNISON members are invited to sign and share.
Sign the petition here
The petition calls on Ms Atkins to cancel the contract and design a...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - November 20, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Janey Starling Tags: Article News health NHS privatisation Source Type: news
Scientists say mystery of how red wine headaches occur may be solved
Researchers home in on phenolic flavonoids as culprit for headaches that come on soon after a glass or twoFor the Greek philosopher Celsus, wine was the answer to endless ailments, from fatigue and fever to coughs and constipation. But despite its convenient healing powers, the grape, he conceded to his faithful readers, could bring about the odd headache.Now, researchers believe they have hit on the reason why wine – red wine, in particular – causes such swift and undeserved headaches. When the liver breaks down a particular ingredient, it produces a substance that has the same effects as a drug used to make alcoholic...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - November 20, 2023 Category: Science Authors: Ian Sample Science editor Tags: Food science Wine Alcohol World news Source Type: news
Education support staff in Northern Ireland need urgent action on pay
Thousands of school staff will hold a day-long strike across Northern Ireland tomorrow (Thursday) over pay, says UNISON today.
Workers including cleaners, catering staff, caretakers, classroom assistants, administrators and technicians will join picket lines at hundreds of schools across the country.
They are taking action over the Education Authority’s failure to update the grading structure, which UNISON says must be changed to recognise the roles and responsibilities of staff so they’re paid fairly.
The union is calling for an overhaul as swiftly as possible. That would ensure the ongoing rollout of the 2023/24...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - November 15, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Anthony Barnes Tags: News Press release Northern Ireland school strike Source Type: news
UNISON president welcomes the union ’ s Year of LGBT+ Workers
UNISON president Libby Nolan addressed the union’s LGBT+ conference in Liverpool last weekend for the launch of the Year of LGBT+ Workers in 2024 and pledged: “I look forward to working with you to make this the best year possible.”
“This is a Tory administration that has come to the end of the road,” she told delegates. “It’s just a crying shame that we may have to put up with another year of it.
“Because make no mistake, this is a dying government … yet determined to continue running our country into the ground.
“We have seen the Tories’ relentless attacks on trans, non-binary and gender diverse peo...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - November 14, 2023 Category: Food Science Authors: Amanda Kendal Tags: Article News 2023 LGBT conference 2023 National LGBT Conference trans rights Source Type: news
